The Barkerville summer of 1870 bursts upon the streets again in the late
twentieth century. Throughout the summer, visitors will get to know many
of the colourful citizens of Barkerville from the summer of 1870.
Gracing the streets with her proper English upbringing will be Miss Florence
Wilson, founder of the first library on William's Creek area, co-founder
of the Cariboo Amateur Dramatic Association and in the summer of 1870, owner
of the new Phoenix saloon and share holder in several mining companies.
Miss Wilson is still very concerned about the large amount of debt incurred
by the Dramatic Association as a result of their new Theatre Royal, and
is working diligently to help the society pay off the $1,000 debt.
Nellie Jenkins is recent arrival on the Creek and has just discovered that
her husband had died in a mining accident prior to her arrival. Mr. Jenkins
left Nellie a small sum of money which enabled her to open a laundry in
town. Nellie is a very hard working laundress with a great pas sion for
"gossip" that she feels is essential for the enlightenment of
Barkerville's citizens.
Alexander Campbell was an Overlander of '62 and arrived on the Creek in
1863. He has recently acquired the position of clerk and man ager of the
Jack of Clubs Mine, owned by Albert Boak. Mr. Campbell has a great deal
of responsibility in running the mine and has difficulty in completing his
duties as required. A staunch Royalist, Campbell gets very "pedoodled"
when anyone makes a disparaging remark about Her Majesty, Queen Victoria.
Kate Hartley takes great joy in parading along the board walk dis playing
her lovely, hoop skirt. Miss Hartley is a Hurdy Gurdy dancer, employed by
Fanny Bendixon, owner of the St. George Saloon. Kate is a rather tall, statuesque
woman, who is not having much luck at displaying her ability at the 'Ringing
the Bell' dance, currently very popu lar in Barkerville. Her lack of 'ceiling
dancing' causes her a great deal of consternation and is she anxious for
the day when a miner in town will be able to swing her high enough to dance
on the ceiling.
Jack Beeman is somewhat of a dolt, who claims to know much about many things
and actually knows very little about very little. Jack spends some of his
time trying to scrape out a living as a miner, however when the gleam doesn't
appear at the bottom of his gold pan, he will work where and when he is
able. Jack has a yearning for any lady on the creek; any eligible lady,
that is.
James D. Loring will be strutting the streets of Barkerville for a short
time at the early part of the season, but Mr. Loring is most pleased that
his daughter, Emma, whom was married last September to Charlie Doyle, is
about to become a mother. Charlie and Emma reside in San Francisco and Mr.
Loring will be heading south to visit the next generation of Lorings.
Mr. Albert C. Boak, who has been away from Barkerville for the past two
years, will be returning. Mr. Boak was one of the town butchers and did
fairly well at that occupation. he no longer serves behind the counter,
but does have interests in cattle ranches in Oregon. Mr. Boak has spent
most of the past two years in London, England, and will be returning to
oversee the operations of his Jack of Clubs Mine Company.
The Barkerville Summer of 1870 was never busier and the historic citizens
of this town look forward to greeting you throughout the season. Welcome
to the largest settlement north of San Francisco and west of Chicago. The
town where dreams sometimes turn to gold...
